French police have launched an investigation into death threats received by three Israeli athletes participating in the Paris Olympic Games, the Paris prosecutors’ office announced on Sunday.
Anti-cybercrime officers are also examining the release of the athletes’ personal data on social networks and are working to have it removed, according to a statement from the prosecutors.
In a statement on Thursday, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate concluded that Iranian hackers were responsible for creating social media channels to publish personal information about members of the Israeli delegation and send them threatening messages.
On the same day, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen alerted his French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, to a potential Iranian-backed plot to target Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympic Games.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations responded on Thursday, stating: “Terrorist acts have no place in the principles of resistance groups; lies and deceit cannot switch the roles of the plaintiff and the accused.”
Israeli athletes at the Games are being escorted to and from events by elite tactical units and are under 24-hour protection throughout the Olympics, officials report. Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, is assisting with security measures.
“Total support for the measures being taken by the French authorities,” an Israeli diplomatic source commented. “This sends an important message to individuals and organizations attempting to threaten athletes,” the source added.
